Wireframing. What is it and when should it be used?

wireframe, discovery, IA

Wireframing is used to layout web pages before coding them. The motivation is that it is much easier to change a wireframe (using Viso or Omnigraffle) then it is to change a HTML page or even (gulp!) a finished web site. Wireframing is not necessary for all sites but it is very helpful in realizing workflows (like a multi-step registration) and can save hours of time in subsequent phases of planning and development.